STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT ON
THE RETIREMENT OF DALE WATSON

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Attorney General John Ashcroft issued the following statement regarding today's announcement that Dale Watson, Executive Assistant Director for Counterterrorism/Counterintelligence at the Federal Bureau of Investigation will be retiring from his position. Watson, a 24-year veteran Special Agent specializing in counterterrorism and counterintelligence, was appointed to this position in December 2001.

“Dale Watson has been a valued member of the Department of Justice, especially in the areas of counterintelligence and counterterrorism, for nearly 25 years. He has played a crucial role in many major terrorism investigations, from the Oklahoma City bombing to the attack on the U.S.S. Cole in Yemen. In the months since September 11th, Dale has proven invaluable once again as one of the key overseers of the largest criminal investigation in our nation's history. His expertise has enhanced immeasurably our terrorism investigation and our unyielding pursuit of justice. I thank him for his leadership, and commend him for his service to the FBI and to our country. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”

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